As per the GOI circular on price capping of Orthopaedic Knee implant by NPPA(National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority), new prices of knee implants have been implemented effective 16th August 2017. For details on knee implant pricing across our hospitals. CLICK HERE | As per GOI’s circular dated 12th February 2018 on price-capping of stents by NPPA(National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority), new prices of coronary stents have been implemented effective 13th February 2018 across our hospitals. For details on stent pricing.CLICK HERE

Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Ramsay Hunt syndrome (herpes zoster oticus) occurs when a shingles infection affects the facial nerve near one of your ears. In addition to the painful shingles rash, Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause facial paralysis and hearing loss in the affected ear.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox heals, the virus lies dormant in your nerves. Years later, it may reactivate. If the virus reactivates and affects your facial nerve, the result is Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

Prompt treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome can reduce your risk of complications, which can include permanent facial muscle weakness and deafness.

Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
Complications
Prevention

The two main signs of Ramsay Hunt syndrome are:

A painful red rash with fluid-filled blisters on, in and around one ear

Facial weakness or paralysis on the same side as the affected ear

Usually, the rash and the facial paralysis develop at the same time. But in some cases, the rash will occur before the facial paralysis or the paralysis before the rash. Sometimes the rash never materializes.

If you have Ramsay Hunt syndrome, you might also experience:

Ear pain

Hearing loss

Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)

Difficulty closing one eye

A sensation of spinning or moving (vertigo)

A change in taste perception or loss of taste

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor if you experience facial paralysis or a shingles rash on your face. Treatment beginning within seven days of the start of signs and symptoms may help prevent long-term complications.

Related

You're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor. He or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in nervous system disorders (neurologist) or to an ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist).

What you can do

Before your appointment, you may want to write a list of answers to the following questions:

What are your symptoms? When did they start?

Have you had the sensation that the room is spinning (vertigo)?

Has your hearing been affected?

Have you noticed a change in your sense of taste?

Have you had the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine? When?

Have you ever had chickenpox? When?

Are you being treated for any chronic health conditions? If so, what treatments are you receiving?

Are you pregnant?

What to expect from your doctor

During the physical exam, your doctor will closely examine your face to check for evidence of one-sided paralysis or a shingles rash on, in or around your ear.

Doctors often can identify Ramsay Hunt syndrome based on medical history, a physical exam and the disorder's distinctive signs and symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor might take a sample of fluid from one of the rash blisters in your ear for testing.